New Orleans

New Orleans was all I could've imagined and much, much more. The people were friendly, the architecture was beautiful, and the food was so good I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds. The only thing I was unimpressed with was Bourbon Street. Sure, there was one great place with the hurricane drinks where two great old ladies played duelling pianos, but that was pretty much it. The rest of our travels took us to places where there were no other tourists. We went to neighborhoods deemed "scary" and saw evidence that this many years later, there is still so much that needs to be done to recover from hurricane Katrina. We got to go out to a swamp, go to a jazz club with some amazing musicians, and do a cemetery tour. Just as I thought I would, I totally fell in love with the city. I will be back. But when we go back I'll either stay off of Frenchman St. or in the Garden District. Here is a small photo post on what we did. This can in no way encompass what we experienced. We walked all over the place, and it was amazing.

This is a club called The Spotted Cat on Frenchman Street. It was a teeny little place so as it got more crowded I had to stand outside. There wasn't enough Xanax in the world. That banjo player was so good I couldn't believe it. I am glad once we settled in to our hotel, and pigged out at Cochon Butcher, that we walked out here. No cover charge and good cheap drinks.

This is one of the houses we passed while strolling through the Garden District. These estates were nothing short of magnificent. The preservation done to some of these buildings was awe-inspiring.



I found a real voodoo shop. Not one of those touristy places with the ridiculous trinkets. I purchased a Mama Bridgitte doll. Here is a little bit about the shop I got her at, and the meaning of this doll in particular: Voodoo Authentica. I very much believe in spirits, and this was right in line with something I would want in my home. It was the perfect gift to buy myself on the trip.

Here is a picture of my best friend holding an alligator in the swamps of Lafitte. I loved this part of the country. So beautiful. Of course, that swamp water was nast so there was no way I was touching that damn thing. But it was fun to check them out. The swamp lands are gorgeous. Next to Christina was our airboat tour guide Captain Monkey. I loved him so much I sat up top on the high seat next to him on the way back in. What an amazing character and I couldn't have asked for a better guide. If you visit NOLA I highly recommend going through this company: Airboat Adventures.



I am by no means religious, but the shadow this cast was not to be ignored. So pretty. And as a guy next to me commented, "Look! It's Touchdown Jesus!" I laughed so hard I'm pretty sure if I wasn't already going to hell, I am now.



This was in one of the cemeteries on our tour. It was made entirely of iron. I am obsessed with old cemeteries and we saw some of the prettiest in town. Our tour guide was a voodoo priestess and it was just Christina and I on the tour. We felt spoiled to get to have so much interaction with her. It was a great tour. 

You have to take at least one picture of yourself while tipsy in New Orleans. I am pretty sure it is a rule. This one makes me smile.



These suckers came right up to the boat while we were on the swamps. They fed them marshmallows. They called the marshmallows "swamp crack." The alligators really seemed to like them. And it kept them from eating us so I was all for it.



This is Commander's Palace. One of the oldest restaurants still standing in New Orleans. We went here for brunch Sunday and it was perfect. Best bloody mary I've ever had. Seriously, that thing was ridiculously good.



This was the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. We stopped here before my birthday dinner at August to visit a very old bar called Sazerac. Christina had a Sazerac which is the official drink of New Orleans. I had a ramos gin fizz. It was gorgeous in there.



This is Willie Mae's Scotch House, known the world over for their fried chicken. We took a cab out because someone told us we shouldn't walk around the neighborhood. But we walked back to the French Quarter after our meal anyways. We wanted to see and explore in a way that you can't from a street car, bus or cab. Some things you need to take in while walking. We're glad we walked back, even though the humidity almost killed us. Thank goodness for good hotel showers!!



This is the view of one of the cemeteries from atop one of the tombs. This one actually had stairs you could climb to walk on top of it. 

This is one of the poorest cemeteries in the city. It was also my favorite. No tombs or huge statues. Just small headstones, some of which were handmade and painted. There were little gifts left for the dead. Inside some of the trees were trinkets left where people did spells and ceremonies. I felt really comfortable here, which is weird considering it was a cemetery. In New Orleans people actually go have picnics and barbecues with their dead. And at one gravesight where a child had died 34 years prior, there was a brand new doll and flowers. I really liked that. They never forget.



There are very few cities I have been to that make me want to go back. Austin, TX and New Orleans, LA are the two exceptions. I usually experience a place and even if I love it, I check it off the list. There are SO MANY places I want to see. But I could see myself living in Austin or New Orleans, if it weren't for the humid hot as hell weather. If you haven't been, I would put it on your list. So much history, and super friendly locals, granted that you don't act like a douchey tourist of course. I'm sure those poor people in NOLA have their fair share of those. And unless you love drunk bros, I would say you only need to spend about 15 minutes on Bourbon Street. Everyone should see, and smell (disgusting) that once.